Scheherazade

Enjoy four magnificent works of music by three composers from near the turn of the 20th century, yet each one unique in their own right: the French Lili Boulanger and Camille Saint-Saëns and the Russian Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Zuill Bailey, one of the top cellists in the world and the CSO’s recently named Artist-in-Residence, will perform with the orchestra. Also featured will be Yuriy Bekker, who in addition to other roles, has been Concertmaster of the CSO since 2007.

Scheherazade, the symphonic suite inspired by One Thousand and One Nights, is a masterful interplay between the villainous Sultan and the heroine Scheherazade. The former is expressed in the low brass and woodwinds, while the latter is passionately represented by solo violin. Rimsky-Korsakov, seeking a narrative for his work and knowing the true value of good storytelling, delivered a stunning musical mix of exotic, valiant, seafaring, celebratory, and fantasy. Scheherazade continues to be one of classical music’s most popular works. 

William Eddins, Music Director Emeritus of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and a frequent guest conductor of major orchestras worldwide, returns to conduct the Charleston Symphony.

MORE ON THE MUSIC & ARTISTS:

• In addition to being a celebrated conductor, William Eddins is an accomplished pianist and chamber musician. 
• Composer Camille Saint-Saëns was gifted in a wide variety of the arts as a pianist, organist, writer and music historian.
• Yuriy Bekker has led the CSO as Artistic Director since 2021 and concurrently leads as Concertmaster (since 2007) and Principal Pops Conductor (since 2016). He performs on the 1638 Franz Degen Andrea Guarneri violin.
• Born into a musically talented family, Lili Boulanger, at the age of 19, was the first female winner of the Prix de Rome — a prestigious composition scholarship award.
• D’un Matin de Printemps (“Of a Spring Morning”) is the happier counterpart to Boulanger’s D’un Soir triste (“Of a Sad Evening”), both were written near the very end of her short life.

PROGRAM

Lili Boulanger (1893-1918)
D’un Matin de Printemps (Of a Spring Morning)

Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)
Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 33

1. Allegro non troppo
2. Allegretto con moto
3. Allegro non troppo

Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)
La muse et le poète, Op. 132                              

INTERMISSION

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908)
Scheherazade, Op. 35        

1. The Sea and Sinbad’s Ship
2. The Tale of Prince Kalendar
3. The Young Prince and the Princess
4. The Festival at Bagdad; The Sea; The Ship Goes to Pieces on a Rock

ARTISTS

William Eddins, Conductor
Zuill Bailey, Cello
Yuriy Bekker, Violin